New bill offers police and firefighters pension buyout option

By LyLena Estabine

02/13/2026

Giving police and fire retirees a pension cash-out option would help reduce long-term pension debt.

Illinois on track to lose another congressional seat

By Lilly Rossi

02/12/2026

Illinois is on pace to lose a seat in Congress based on new census data. International immigration and interstate migration are driving those projections.

5 ways state law empowers the Chicago Teachers Union and how it can change

By Gerrin Alexander

02/10/2026

The union's extraordinary power in Chicago is propped up by actions in Springfield.

TAGS: CTU: Chicago Teachers Union

Chicago Peace Initiative: Reducing violence with jobs

By Patrick Andriesen

02/10/2026

Gangs and prison often keep Chicago’s youth out of the workforce, but the Chicago Peace Initiative works to change that.

Chicago business activity growing for first time since November 2023

By Josh Bandoch, Jon Josko

02/09/2026

Chicago employment situation improves after hitting lowest level since 2009 in December 2025.

The good and bad in Pritzker pension proposals

By LyLena Estabine

02/06/2026

Gov. J.B. Pritzker announced plans to handle Illinois’ pension crisis. Some build on proven reforms while others could delay real progress.

TAGS: JB Pritzker

Three-peat: Illinois’ pension system last place for 3rd year in a row

By LyLena Estabine

02/05/2026

Illinois state pensions have less money to pay retirees than any state according to Equable Institute. It’s the third year in a row for Illinois coming in last.

Illinois must keep promise to join nursing group or risk millions

By Joe Tabor

02/05/2026

To get part of $50 billion for a federal health program, Illinois promised to join nurse licensure and physician assistant compacts. Will state lawmakers keep that promise?

Illinois No. 2 in U.S. for high gas taxes

By Brad Weisenstein

02/04/2026

Illinoisans pay the third-highest gas taxes in the nation at nearly $0.85 per gallon. California leads and Michigan edged into the No. 2 spot.

TAGS: gas tax

Chicago violent crime at decade low as arrest rates rise

By Patrick Andriesen

02/04/2026

Violent crime in Chicago fell to more than a decade low in 2025. It dropped across 88% of the city’s neighborhoods as arrests rose.

TAGS: CPD: Chicago Police Department

Chicago

New bill offers police and firefighters pension buyout option

Illinois on track to lose another congressional seat

5 ways state law empowers the Chicago Teachers Union and how it can change

Chicago Peace Initiative: Reducing violence with jobs

Chicago business activity growing for first time since November 2023

The good and bad in Pritzker pension proposals

Three-peat: Illinois’ pension system last place for 3rd year in a row

Illinois must keep promise to join nursing group or risk millions

Illinois No. 2 in U.S. for high gas taxes

Chicago violent crime at decade low as arrest rates rise

Fighting poverty with employment: Chicago block clubs

Report Archive

Diana Graham

Process for unionizing non-state workers raises red flags

CBS Chicago: Illinois’ highest-paid superintendent receives $400K per year to oversee 1,200 students